Page 1 of Sale of goods act

I bought a plasma TV from Currys in November 2003 which cost £2000. Now this morning went to switch it on I have sound but no picture. After paying this amount of money I expected the TV to last longer than 3 1/2 years. Does anyone know if I have any legal rights to go back to the shop and complain. Please let me know if you have had any similar problems and the outcome.

thanks,
Michelle

I`ve found most TV`s have an internal self-destruct mechanism set to implode the internal working the second the warranty runs out.

Unless you took out extra cover, or the TV came with an extended warranty, I`m not sure there`s many electrical shops that will refund/replace after 3 1/2 years.

soz and all that

============================
Curse this infernal alcohol...


Writer`s Release
My Collection

Quote:
Unless you took out extra cover, or the TV came with an extended warranty, I`m not sure there`s many electrical shops that will refund/replace after 3 1/2 years.

Stanz is correct, However you could try complaining to the manufacture they may repair it or allow you x amount of pounds off a replacement model (purchased direct from them).

Good luck.




(A.C.C founder)
The New Anti.Clown.Coalition

Actually, you both forgot the "6 year rule"
This is where an Electrical product has been sold and is expected to last for at least 6 years of "normal" usage.
I believe TV`s have a maximum of 8 hours per day in this "expectation" (might be wrong there so don`t shoot me if I am)

Anyways, this gets very messy. You would have to complain that you bought the set and have used it for x y and z during the last couple of years.
On switching it on you had whatever fault and you believe the set has failed *prematurely* (this is the big sticky point, it must fail PREMATURELY not just fail to work)

At this point they usually refer you over to their head office or litigation department who deal with it from then on in.
the onus is on the PURCHASER to prove premature failure, not the Retailer nor the Manufacturer.
The process in itself may cause you more grief and costs (phone calls etc for information) than a similar repair may cost. You will also have no rights whatsoever to claim you need a loan set whilst the repair is underway (or the estimate dependant on the point in the process)

It can be quick and painless, or it can be long and very stressful.
Choice is yours as to whether to pursue but don`t think for one second that because you paid 2 grand for a TV it`s likely to last any more than one at £200.
All units in the UK get sold with 12 months Manufactuer warranty (which isn`t a legality btw, the manufacturers provide that as a service!) and are absolved once that expires.
I believe the 6 year thing is down to the Retailer to foot the cost if found to be a valid claim.

Personally I`d see what was salvageable from the set, get a local decent repair company to give an estimate and if no joy with attempting a 6 year claim ...bin it.
(no joy I mean do the initial "I know goods should be fit for purpose for around 6 years, this is only 3 and a half" type thing)

The other option for the Retailer is to scrap it and give a refund of whats left.
This works as what it`s worth over the 6 years and is done thus:

Cost new £2000
Yearly equivalent for 6 years use: £2000/6 = £333.33
Use so far: 3 and half years
Discount for "enjoyment received so far" : £333.33 x 3.5 = £1166.65
Total for refund: £2000 (orig PP) - £1166.65 (use so far) = £883.35

Good luck whatever way you go...keep us informed :D

[edit:] Just re-read the original post....have you tried ALL inputs and not just Sky/Freeview/DVD and if picture on normal tuner...have you checked the external connector (Scart/HDMI etc) is fully pushed in? This was a common complaint early on with people using scarts that had come out slightly so they bypassed the Blue Screen and Auto Mute functions of the TV and gave sound, but with a completely black screen.

Jimbo : oÞ

"Making Teenagers depressed is like shooting fish inna barrel"

This item was edited on Sunday, 24th June 2007, 14:07

Thanks for your replies.

I had my tv looked at by an independent engineer who told be the Power Circuit Board was dead. In his opinion it is not wear and tear. So the fight is on with Currys. :)

Trading standards told me I had a case. So I will fight them all the way to the death >:(

So Currys beware !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What make is the TV?

Dr 42%er


Care in the football community is proved not to work.


It`s not easy being different. It`s not easy being cool....but somehow I manage....

Quote:
I had my tv looked at by an independent engineer who told be the Power Circuit Board was dead. In his opinion it is not wear and tear.

Did he put this in the report or were they just words from his mouth?

He put the circuit board dead on the report and the fact that is now discontinued to get. He just worded to me about the wear and tear bit. But surely companies are obliged that when they sell goods the parts to repair them are also available for a certain length of time. Someone told me this period was 5 years. I will just have to wait and see what kind of reply I get from Currys and then take it from there.

The make of TV is a TECHWOOD TWP4205. Only currys and dixons sold these and trying to find TECHWOOD themselves is impossible. Searched internet over 4 hours yesterday trying to find them. I have found other forums where people have the same TV and the same problem.........

If you know who TECHWOOD are then please tell me LOL

Quote:
He put the circuit board dead on the report and the fact that is now discontinued to get Is he sure about that. Don`t manufactures have to carry spares for 6/7 years?

Dr 42%er


Care in the football community is proved not to work.


It`s not easy being different. It`s not easy being cool....but somehow I manage....